Same-sex issues divisive and hurtful for Church of Ireland '“ Dean Mann

Speaking at the launch of an initiative to aid a better understanding of human sexuality, Dean of Belfast the Very Rev John Mann said the church’s approach to same-sex attraction was also causing uncertainty amongst its members.

The 90-page ‘Guide to the Conversation on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief’ is designed to “assist members of the church in the ongoing process of listening, learning and dialogue.”

Its launch on Monday by the CoI select committee in Dublin comes just days after the Anglican church worldwide decided to sanction it US branch for approving same-sex marriage.

Last Thursday, church leaders agreed to take action against the Episcopalian Church in America over its “fundamental departure” from the faith by such an endorsement.

Although the leader of the CoI has rejected the use of the term ‘sanction,’ the US branch will be barred from having any role in the decision-making of the Anglican Church for three years.

Some liberals within the CoI have already expressed concern at the decision to impose the sanction, while others believe the public dissent warranted a more severe penalty.

There are now fears the liberal and conservative wings of the church could be on a collision course over doctrine.

The new guide includes “contextual essays and contributions” from different viewpoints, was launched by the Archbishop of Armagh Dr Richard Clarke at Church of Ireland House in Rathmines.

Dean Mann said: “At an early point in the deliberations of the select committee, and in all humility, the members acknowledged that whilst there was wide experience represented by the totality of the group’s membership, it required academic, theological and biblical expertise and the presence of those who could speak from within the gay and lesbian community.”

Dean Man said the launch of the guide was an important staging point in a process, and added: “From the outset, the select committee viewed its role in the broadest of terms, as having a remit to discuss a range of issues concerning human sexuality, and lead the church in being a learning and listening body intent on increasing its understanding of scripture and sharing the experience of others. Such breadth of vision is still maintained by the select committee.

“However, within this broad attempt to encompass the sweep of issues that could naturally fall under such an umbrella, including human trafficking for example, the committee recognised that the ‘presenting issue’ of same-sex attraction needed considerable time and effort at the outset. This is for two reasons. Firstly that the select committee would not have been formed but for this issue, and secondly and naturally flowing from that, it, arguably, beyond all others, is what is divisive for the church and causing most hurt and uncertainty amongst its members.”

Officially launching the guide, Archbishop of Armagh Dr Richard Clarke said the booklet - which will act as a discussion aid during a 12-month consultation period - is “consistently biblically based, reflective, engaging and, ultimately, personally challenging”.

Commenting on the select committee, he added: “Their task was, and is, to give guidance to the rest of us, as to how we also might faithfully, patiently and constructively dialogue one with another and finally – in God’s wisdom and grace – discern his will for us all as we grapple with this massive issue of human sexuality in the context of Christian belief.”

A second launch event will take place later today in the library of St Anne’s Cathedral.

On Sunday, the Archbishop of Armagh said the agreement to put some formal distance between the Episcopalians and other parts of the Anglican communion was designed to keep the whole body of the church together, but also allow “breathing space”.

In 2003, the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire in the US backed the ordination of openly gay Canon Gene Robinson, sparking a rift over the church’s stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.